Safety percussion-fuse for projectiles.



D. J. GARTWRIGHT.

SAFETY PERCUSSION FUSE PoR PROJESTILES. APPLICATION FILED DEO.10,1903.

Patented Sept. 28, 1909-.

, 2 SHEETS-SHEET Z. Ry] @a e9 yg/JQ Z5 y.Z''lg /7 Zanesses: Znvenor.- tyw, @@MSRMSM- UNITED STAT-TENT OFFICE.

all wlimndt'nay concern: l

3 Safety Percussion-Fuses foiyP-rojectiles, of.

drawings.

"'DAVID J. CARTWRIGHT, or` poncnns'rnn, MASSACHUSETTS.

y Bei known that l, DAvin-J. Cairiwnieirr, A acitizenfof the United States, residing at; Dorchester,.Bostoin in the county of' Suf- "folk, State of Massachusetts, have invented a certain new and useful .Improvement in which the following lis a specification, refi vence being had therein to'the accompanying I i The general object of lthe invention is yto 7 produce' a safetyV permission. fuse of iin- Vproved construction,.self-acting and sensitive, absolutely effective when it isto: op-l crate` to,A ignite `the bursting charge of an explosive`projectile,and yet perfectly secure against' accidental or premature discharge during transport-ation or handling.

One feature of improvement consists in a firing-pin or-point which is vindependent of themomentum-piece or device, known as a .hammer'sor plunger, or other actuating L means. e y

l; Another featureo-f improvement is an iniproved safety-deviceior, guardoperating effectively to maintainthe fuse` normally inv an unarmed Stat-e, so that -it cannot accidentally become dischargedvin consequence of jarsuor shocks, orfotner like causes, and actingautomatically during the flight of the Y proJectile to which the fuse is applied to arm? the said fuse.

AnotherI feature tif-improvement consists in rendering the firing-pin or point and the .support for the percussion-cap oripriinerr'elatively movable in transverse direction, and

in providing means-adapted tosupport one' ofthe said .parts normally out of line with the otheigand for causing the'sanie yto be moved into line With the flatter in position toenable themletonatioii ofthe percussioncap or .primr'vito vbe effected.

,These and other features of improvement will be fully r explained with reference to the accompanying drawings, in" Which lat-ter,-

. l'Figure 1 shows `in longitudinal sectiona safetypercussi'oii device containing ,the-.in-

vention in `one 'form of embodiment, the

firing-pin or point, andthe actuating or motor Adevices therefor, being represented as .locked in `the""i inarined l condition. Fig. 2. Sis `Ia. view, invert-ical cross-section onv the.

plane that is indicated by the dotted line 2-,72 .in Fig. 1, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows at the ends of thesaid line. Fig. 3 is a. View similar to Fig. 1,

. represented in Fig. 3.

"SAFETY PERCUSSION-FUSE FOR PROJECTILES.

e i Speeieation if Letters Patent. Patented Sept. 28, 1909. Applicationlled December 10, 1303. Serial N0. 184,583. y

showing the tiring-pin or point unlocked, the fuse being iii i armed l condition. Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2, showing the safety-device in the position 1in which it. is

Fig. 4? is a semi-endelevation of the fuse, looking at the forward end thereof. .,Fig. 5 shows in. longitudinal verticalsection the mechanism section of the casing detached. Fig. 6 shows in longitudi- .nal verticalr section the partition diskc detached. Fig. 7 shows in longitudinal vertical section the magazine section of the casing detached.` Fig. 8 shows in vertical section the disk which is employed tofclose the outer or forward end of thev magazine sec- `tion.- Fig. 9 shows in longitudinal vertical section the plunger. Fig. 1 0 shows in lon- "g-itudinal vertical section the hammer. Fig.

11 shows i-n longitudinal vertical section the firing-pin or point vand the spring and locking-ring which are applied in connection ,therewith, the parts being separated from one another. Fig. 12 shows in longitudinal Vtransverse section the body of the safety- .deviceior guard. Fig.j'13 shows detached .and in expanded condition the split ror dividing ring which is employed for holding the parts of the safety-device or guard in their contracted condition. Fig. 14 isa View in longitudinal .vertical section of a fuse having the firing-pin and safety-device thereof similar to the fuse of Figs. 1 to 13,

but having a different forni of actuating means for the tiring-pin or point. Fig. 15 is a view showing Iin elevation detached the actuating device vor plunger of Fig. 14. Fig.

.[16 showsin longitudinal vertical section a fuse lin which the firing-pin or point is attached to a momentum-device, the said fuse containing also a modified construction of safety-device or guard, and the parts being in unarmed Condition. Fig. 17 is a 'view in verticaltr-ansverse section on the line 17--17 ofFiglG, lookingin the direction indicated by the arrows at the ends-ofthe said line.

Fig.y 18 is'a View similar to Fig. 16, .but`

showing the fuse in armed condition. Fig.

`19. isa View similar to Fig. 17, with the parts in the position of Fig.- 18.` Fig. 2O shows in longitudinal Vertical section a plunger having connected therewith a centrifugal safety- .devicecarrying the firing-pin or` point. Fig.

21 is a view of the construction shownA inA Fig..v 20,. looking fromv they right-*hand side in the latter gure,theparts `being-in unarmedcondition. Fig. ,22 is a view similar :to Fig.21 showing the parts in armed con# tlition.. Fig. 23 is a partial vlew o n the order of 1, showing the safety-device of Figs.

20 to in position within the casing of a fuse. Fig. 2l shows in rear elevation the partition or primer disk of F 23.

I will describe, first, the embodiment of the invention which is represented in Figs. 1 to 13.

The casing of the fuse, in its entirety, is designated a in Figs. 1 to 13. The said casing, Which may vary in form and construc tion in practice to meet different requirements, is shown as cylindrical and screwthrcaded exteriorly to adapt the same to be screwed into a projectile. It also is shown formed with recesses a', a', in the exterior of the head-end thereof' for the reception of projections upon a suitable tool which may be used for rotating the fuse in order to screw it into or out of its place in the prof jectile. Other provisions for enabling the fuse to be conveniently connected with a projectile or disconnected therefrom may be adopted, as preferred. The casing is tubular to receive and contain within its interior the percussion-cap or primer b, the means for exploding or detonating the latter, and also when desired, a detonating charge of powder to serve in exploding the bursting charge of the projectile with which the fuse is used. The said detonating charge of powder is provided when the fuse is used in connection with a projectile of one of the larger calibers, and -is omitted in the case of use in connection with a projectile of minor caliber.

While the casing may consist, essentially, of a Y'shell of fixed length varying in length according as `thedetonating charge of powder is or is not employed I deem it preferable to form the casing in two different sections, as shown, and to make provision for enabling them conveniently to be secured together, when it is desired to use them in conjunction with each other, and also to be separated whenever required when so used. Thus, in the figures referred to, the casing comprises a main section, .a2,"shown separately in Fig. 5, which contains the percussion-cap or primer and the means for exploding or detonating the latter, and which for this reason I term the mechanism section by way of distinction, and a second section a, Figs. l, 3 and 7, which is adapted to receive and contain the detonating charge of powder, and which for convenience I term the magazine section; and the said two sections are joined together ina separable manner by being caused, respectlvely, to enter.

into screw-threaded engagement with the disk c, Figs. 1, 3 and 6. The said disk c is shown in Figs. 1 and 3 as fitting within the prcxnmte ends of the two sections a2, a3, and has a screw-threaded periphery which is engaged with internal threads with which the 'said ends of the sections are formed. The disk c is shown formed with'r'ecesses c, c, to receive projections on a suitable tool by means of which,the operationv of screwing the disk into theisectio'n'a2 may be facilitated. The separable two-part ,con-

struction of the casing is of advantage, in-

asmuch as it provides for the ready disconnection and removal of the magazine section, whereby it is rendered possible' to examine the percussion-cap or primer and operative devices or mechanism Without'danger, and it also is rendered possible withoutv away in the event of deterioration of the' powder, whereas in the case of the described construction only the section which con, tains the powder need be replaced by a fresh one. A disk, such as is employed in practice for closing the outer end of the ma zine section a3 is shown at d, Figs. 1, 3 ah 8. 'lhe disk o substantially closes the end of the chamber of the mechanism section, and when the magazine Section 1s applled, as 1n 1 Figs. 1 and 3, the said disk c constitutesa partition between the mechanism chamberv and the chamber for the powder. It is 'formed with a pocket or seat c at the side thereof which is turned toward the chamber containing' the Iiring-pin or point and its operating devices or mechanism, as shown j most clearly in Fig. 6. Thepercussion-cap or primer b is received within the said pocket or seat, and from the latter a hole c2 extends ontward through the disk for the passage of the flame which produced by the detenation of the said percussion-cap or primer.

A firing-pin or point is shown at c. In percussion fuses in which a movable tiri i gpin or point is employed it is customary at the present time to attach the iiring-pin or paint to a heavy movable piece or plunger, or to form the same as a portion of s ch plunger, the mass of the plunger acting, lin

consequence of its inertia and vof the momentum whichl it acquires during the .flight of the projectlle to which the fuse is applied, to cause the firing-pin `or point to detonate the cap cr primer when the flight of the projectile is suddenly checked. The l firing-pin or point eV is a separate or independent piece or part, as shown by Figs; 1, 3 and 11, and is not attached to a plunger or formed as a portion thereof.

ln connection with the firing-pin or point a safety-device or guard iscmployed, which' `A is'lcapable of occupying ,different positions, I' in one of Whichthe liring-pin or point is,l prevented from Aoperating to detonate the 935,188 j Y B percussion-cap or prinier,the fuse being their 'in its' unarmed condition, while in another point in which the'- latter is mounted, and

' form a chamber fwhich receives the en-.

for :movement lengthwise.

y which it issupported adjacent the disk c. The saidsafety-device or 'guard .j' is formed with a hole through the body' there of, within which hole the tiring-pin or point is placed and is intended toA have capacity At the side of the safety-device or guard which is next-.the disk c, as at f', `the hole corresponds in diameter with the forward portion of thel stem of the lfiring-pin orjpoint, while the remainder of the said, hole is enlarged to larged and elongated cylindricalhead e of thefiring-pin or point. The said cylindrical head makes' sliding. contact, withthe wall of the said chamber f2, and the tiring-pin or vpoint'i's therebyvsteadied and guided in its movements.` A spiral spring g,v1+`igs-. 1, 3

and l1, actingexpansively against one sidey of the'head e', operates with'laltendency to movethe firing-pin .or point endwi'se ina directiony away fromv ,the vj oerjcussion-eap or, primer b, so 'as to: withdraw` within the safety-device orguard f the end thereof which is intended lto strike vagainst the said percussion-cap orprimer, and thereby sheath the "said end. This is the normal position ofthe firingvpin or point. In the said position the enlargedlhead'e l'of the fh-ing,

pin or point projects from the rear side of the safety-device or guard into the mechanism section. Thereby the said head is exposed ,to theaction of the device, hereinafter described,I which is intended by its engagement therewith to drive the .firingpin or point endwise to, carry its acting' Hend ,against the percussion-cap or primer Z) "for lthe purpose of detonating` the latter.

For the actuation 'of' the ltiring-pin or point e to cause the ,saule to detonate the percussion-cap or primer, two movable parts or members It andi are employed within the ',mechanism chamber. The member 'It fits peripherally against the interior surface 'or 'wall lof the said chamber, and is in slidi ingcontact therewith. e It is shownfas of cylindrical form and corresponds substantially iu diameter with tliediameter of th e; chamber, so that it cannot move transverselytherein and can only move longitudinally.4y Its for-v ward end It is intended to act against the exposed end of the head. c of thefiring-pin or point c forthe purpose of communicating a forward movement ,to the said tiring-pin or point.. .The member occupies a position in the mechanism chamber between the closed -rear endv of the Said chalnberiandthe member .la Like the latter itis capable of m'ov-V `ing longitudinally of j the .mechanism c hamber at the predetermined t1me. In addition,

it is less in diameter than:` the; lsaid chamber, in order that it may thereby be permitted to move transversely within .the chamber. The member z' is constructed and combined with the member /t in a manner which causes the member, la, to bemoved forward longitudinally within the casing when the vmember z' moves either longitudinallyv or transversely within. the mechanism chamber. In Figs. 1, S) and l0, .in order to enable transverse Amovement. of member z' to-be converted into longitudinal movement of. member It, the forward end of the member is formed with av projecting. conez", and the proximate end it fits.

trally --located conical projection a4 with which the rearvendfwall of the, mechanism chamber-is furnished. The action of the actuating devices or mechanism as thus far referred to is as follows: It'being assumed that the fuse is caused tof` become properly armed during'the flight of the projectile to whichthe fuse is applied, if now ,the said projectile strikes endwise in its flight, the members It and z'` will, by their acquired nio? meiitum move forward within' the mechanism chamber of the fuse, and through the combined momentum of the two members' the member 7i, by acting against the head c of tlieiiring-pin `or pointe, will. driveA theV latter lengthwise toward the percussion-cap or primer. Should the projectile strike sidewis'e, or with a glancing blow, the shock will cause the member z' to move transversely within the mechanism chamber. A' result of movement ofl member z' transverselywill be that the pressure of the surface of the cone z"- 4against the surface of the conical cavity la? inthe member h will cause the said member 7L 'to be driven longitudinally within the mechanism chamber. so as to operate the firing-pin or point. The engagement of the ixed cone a? within the conical 4cavity 2 at the rear end of the member z' will operate with a tendency to restrain somewhat the rear end of the member z' from transverse movement, so that the member z' will in a measure swing or turn with reference to the cone at as in effect upon a pivotal connection with the rear end of the casing, thereby increasing the'effect kof the conc z" iii pressing forwardythe member it within the mechanism chamber. The rearA end of the member z' will also tend to move transversely, by slipping upon the cone a, and when the said \re'ar end thus shifts transversely the action f the surface of the said cone against the surface of the conical cavity 2 will operate.

f to cause the member i to move bodily fordesignation, I term the member It a hammer and the member i a plunger.

The safety-device or guard is constructed to hold the firing-pin or point e normally locked in its retracted position against all tendency to be driven forward throu h the action of the hanuner and plunger z, as in consequence of shocks or movements communicated in handling or transportation, and in firing the gun from which is dischar d the pro'ect1le to which the fuse is applied. The said safety-device or guard is constructed, also, to be operated b the centrifugal force which is generated the rotation of the projectile during t e flight of the latter, so as to unlock the tiring-pin or point and thereby leave the latter free to be actuated `by `the hammer and plunger. Thus it is furnished with a locking member f3, which is movable relative to the main portion or body of the guard, the said locking member having an inwardly rejecting detent-lip or flange f't which wor s within a slot f that is made through the wall of the body of the guard at one side of the latter, the said slot opening into the chamber f2, as shown. When the locking member f3 is closed against the body of the guard, the detent lip or flan e f* projects within the chamber f2 into its locking position, as in ign 1. The locking member f3 is held with yie ding force in its inner or locking position which isrepresented in Figs. 1 and 2, through the action of a spring n consisting of a strip of elastic material bent into the shape of a transversely split or divided ring. The said sprinoclasps the body ofthe safetydevice or guar and its locking member, and 1s seated in grooves n in the exterior portions of the Said parts. By the tendency of the split or divided ringn to contract, the locking member and body of the safetydevice or guard are drawn together, and thereby the locking member is held in the locking position. In the outer position of the said locking` member, represented in Figs. 3 and 4, which it is caused to take by the action of centrifugal force, the detent` lip or flange f4 is withdrawn so as to unlock the firing-pin or point and leave it free to be actuated by means ofthe ha `imer and plunger.

Under the influence of centrifugal force the safety-device or guard expands against the tension of the split ring n until its opposite portions make contact with the interior surface of the casing. In order that after the safety-device or guard has become exl panded in the flight of the projectile so as to unlock the firing-pinV or vpoint it' may be prevented from closmg again into the locking osition before the firing-pin or point has een caused to act against-the percussion-cap or rimer, I provide a latch for holding the sa ety-device or guard in the expanded or unlocking position thereof. yTo this end, in connection with the firing-pin or point e and the locking member f3 of the safety-device or guard there is employed 'a small ring m, Figs. 1, 3 and 11, the said ring being contained within the chamber f2 ofthe guard vand being concentric with the firing-pin or point e, which passes through the central opening of the ringl and lits such opening. The spring g is compressed between the said ring lm, and the head e of the firingpin or point, the saidhead being formed with a ilange which projects outside the spring g toward the ring m. In the unarmed condltion of the fuse which is'represented in Fig. 1, in which the locking member f3 of the safety-device or guardis closed against the body of the safety-device or guard, with its detent lip or flange f* projecting 'into the chamber f2, the ring m occupies a position between the said detent lip or flange and the flange of the head e of the firing-pin or point, the spring g being compressed within the space inside the flange of the head. The detent lip or flange f4 in this position prevents forward movement of the ring m the latter in turn by its engagement with the flange of the head e prevents the firing-pin or point from being moved forward. Consequently, the firing-pin or point is held positively in its retracted position, with the acting end of the firingpin or point sheathed Within the safety-dev1ce or guard. Outward movement of the locking member f3 sufficient to withdraw the detent lip or flange f* from in front of the ring m will permit the said ring m to be pushed forward by the spring g, as the latter expands, into the position in which it is represented in Fig. 3. This release of the ring m will also release the tiring-pin or point from all restraint other than that of the spring g, and renders it capable of being driven forward by the action of the hammer l1, and plunger z' when the projectile strikes in its flight. In the osition of the parts which is represented 1n Fig. 3, theI fuse is armed. The members of the safetydcvice or guard having assumed their expanded condition, and the firing-pin or point having been thereby unlocked, the ring m is moved by the spring g/ asy the latter expands, into line with the detent-lip or flange f* of the locking member f3, as shown in Fig. 3. This prevents accidental return of the' movable locking-meniber f3 to its locking position. It will be perceived that the ring m serves three purposes. It acts as ,a guide for the firing-pin, or point. In the position of the parts whichv is represented in Fig.n 1 it cooperates with the'v4 detent-lip or flange f4 in locking the firing-'pin or point against forward movement. In the position of the parts which is, representedvin F igg 3 it engages with the datent-lip or flangef4 to lock or latch the movable lockingmember f3 of the controller or guard in its expanded position, and thereby prevents the firing-pin or point from accidentally becoming locked against movement under the action of the hammer and plunger.

At one side of the center of the rind. pin or point the exterior of the body of the safety-device or guard is formed as a seg-- ment of acircle which is concentric With the said firing-pin or point. At the opposite sid-e of the center of the firing-pin or point` the body of the safety-device or guard is reduced diametrically, and to this reduced por-` tion of the saidbody the movable lockingmember is applied, the exterior of the said locking member vhaving the same curvature as that of the opposite portion of the body. In the expanded condition of the safety device-or guard which is represented in Fig. 3 it fills the portion of the mechanism chamber within which it is located, and the firing-pin or point is brought to and held at the center of the said chamber in line With the percussion-cap orprimer b. In the contracted condition ofthe safety-device or guard it does not fill the said chamber, and is vcapable of movement transversely Within the same.

i In, this condition thereof the radial meas- Y 'urements at the side of the same to which since the contracted safety-device or guard is vquite likely to assume the oH-center position in'whch it is represented in Figs. l and 2.

In theunarmed condition of the fuse which is represented in Figs. 1 and 2, the safety-device or guard occupies a position with the forward side thereof in contact with the disk c,'Whi1e atthe other side, vof the safety-device or guard the end of the head e of the firing-pin or point e makes contact with the forward end of the hammer 71.. Through the Vengagement of the head e 'with the hammer the latter is held firmly in' contact at its rear end With the forward end of the plunger z', and the rear end of the plungerz' is held firmly against its seat at the rear end of the mechanism chamber. Vith the parts thus held together, the cones and conical cavities Which are located at the opposite ends of the plunger interact to hold the plunger centered with reference to the longitudinal axis of the fuse. In the armed condition of the fuse Which is represented inFigs. 3 and 4, thespring g presses the head e of the iiring-pin or point e against thev forward end of the hammer la, and continuesto keep the parts firmly pressed together. Thus, normally, the plunger is held locked positively in its centered position, and at the start of the iight of the projectile to Which lthe fuse is applied it remains thus positively locked until by the expansion of the safety-device or guard the firing-pin or point is unlocked, after which the tenslon of the 'spring continues to hold the hammer pressed firmly against Ithe forward end of the plunger, and the rear end of the plunger pressed firmly against the seat therefor which is provided at the closed rear end of the mechanism chamber, until the projectile strikes. Through the uniform distribution of the mass of the plungerA with reference to the longitudinal axis of the fuse, which is the axis on which the projectile and fuse rotate during' the flight of the projectile, the centrifugal force which is generated by the rotation of the projectile in its flight has no tendency to throw the plunger transversely Within the mechanism chamber. Hence, the

lplunger cannot be operated by centrifugal force in the flight of the projectile to drive sov the hammer h, and firing-pin or point e for- Ward so as to detonate the percussion cap or primer and cause the projectile to explode during flight, as Would occur if the plunger were mounted loosely Within the case and not held properly in its centered position. It will be clear that the pressure of the head of the firing-pin vor point against the for- Ward end of the hammer L, resulting from the action of the spring g, during the Hight of the projectile, will operate to prevent creeping forward of the plunger and hammer during such flight, in consequence of retardation vinthe rate of movement of the projectile. v

I contemplate in some cases replaclng the hammer hand plunger i Which are shown in Figs. 1 to 4, 9, and 10, by a single plunger o vvhichlis shown in Figs. la and 15, Sheet 2, of the drawings., The front portion of the said plunger is 'less in diameter than the chamber of the mechanism section a2 of the casing. The rear portion of the said plunger is conical, usually truncated, as in Fig. 14, and the rear end of the mechanism chamber is correspondingly shaped to form a conical cavity to receive {this portion of the plunger. The plunger o'vis capable offorward moveleased to partake of such movement bythe* unlocking of the firing-pin or point c, and it is also intended to have transverse movement within the said chamber. Then the projectile to which the fuse is applied strikes endvwise the plunger 0 will move longitudinally within the mechanism chamber, and acting as a momentum-device will operate with a tendency to drive the firing-pin or point e forward. When lthe projectile strikes a glancing blow, or sidew'ise, the tendency of the plunger o to move transversely will result in forward or longitudinal movement of the said plunger due to the interaction of the surface of the conical portion of the plunger with the conical portion of the surface of the inner wall of the casing at the rear end of the mechanism chamber.

Figs. 1G to 19 show certain of the improvements embodied in a construction in which the firing-pin or point is attached to a longitudinally movable piece or carrier, the latter being actuated by a plunger which is capable of movement both longitudinally and transversely of the casing, as in the case of the plunger e' of Figs. 1 to 13. The longitudinally movable piece is designated /L, it taking the place of the hammer /L of the construction shown in Figs. 1 to 13. The acting end of the firing-pin or bolt e9 projects beyond the forward end of the said piece or carrier it, the said carrier being of a diameter to fit the interior surface of the wall of the mechanism section a2, so as to prevent the carrier from transverse movement, while leaving it free to move longitudinally. The plunger i is in general similar to the plunger z' of Figs. 1 to 13, it having a conical cavity in its rear end which fits a conical projection a4 extending forward 4at the center of the rear end-wall of the casing. The forward end of the plunger 9, however, is formed with a central conical cavity in place of the conical projection of Figs. 1 to 13, while the rear end of the carrier it has a central conical projection entering and fitting the said conical cavity of the plunger i". The safety-device or guard of Figs. 16 to 19 is somewhat different from that of Figs. 1 to 13, it comprising two opposite pieces f which respectively are approximately semicylindrical exteriorly. The plane faces -of the meeting sides of the two sections f, f, fit together, and when thus fitted together the safety-device is smaller in diameter', in nearly all directions, than' the portion of the chamber within the magazine section in which the safety-device is placed. In the collapsed or contracted condition of the safety-device or guard, which is shown int Figs. 16 and 17, the said device therefore is movable transversely within the chamber of the casing. The said safety-device or guard occupies a position between the carrier t) and the diskc. The sections f, f, thereof are formed with marginal flanges fol f" projecting at the side of the safety-device or guard toward the carrier h". tracted or collapsed condition of the safetydevice or guard, which is the condition thereof which is operative to keep the fuse unarmed, one or both of the flanges fol, jm, project in front of the forward end of the carrier 7L and engage therewith. As a result ofy this engagement the safety-device or guard, which is restrained from forward movement by contact with the partition 0, serves to hold the carrier L" in its rearward position. A divided spring n, surrounding and embracing the two sections of the safetydevice or guard, operates to hold the latter normally in its contracted condition, a holer or opening at the center of the safety-device or guard receiving the forwardly projecting end of the firing-pin or point. When the projectile to which the fuse is applied is fired from a gun the centrifugal force which is generated by the rotation of the projectile in its flight operates to expand the lsafetydevice or guard. As the safety-device or guard expands within the chamber of the mechanism section a2 of the fuse, the flanges ward end of the carrier it as shown in Fig. 18. That portion of the mechanism chamber in which the safety-device or guard is located is sufficiently enlarged radially, as shown in the said figure, to permit of the extent of radial movement of the sections of the safety-device or guard which is necessary in order to enable the flanges f, fm, to be carried out beyond the carrier 7L so as to clear and release the latter. In this expanded condition of the safety-device or guard the carrier It is free to move forward within the casing of the fuse.

In Figs. 16 and 18 there is shown a lock for the safety-device or guard acting on the principle of that which is employed inthe construction shown in Figs. 1 to 13, and comprising essentially a longitudinally movable member' in the shape of a sleeve m fitted upon the exterior of the firing-pin or point e. The carrier zr" is chambered around the firing-pin or .point c to receive the locking member m a'nd the expanding spiral spring cr/9 which surrounds the latter. The locking member m is formed at its forward end withA -a cylindrical locking portion m91, adjacent which .is a projecting flange or collar m02. The spring g is compressed between the enlarged outer end of the locking vmember fm, and the inner end of the chamber it of the carrier 7a.. rThe said spring acts with a tendency to project the locking member fm. forward. In the contracted condition of the safety-device or guard the forward end of the j, f, pass outward entirely beyond the for- In the conlocking member makes Contact with the rear ends of the sect-ions f, f", of the safety-device or guard, but when the safety-device or guard guard having at its front side a flange fS1 Figs. 20 and 21, and which corresponds with the unarmed condition of the fuse, the ringexpands the outward movement of the said sections increases the openingat the center of the safety-device or guard sufficiently to receive the cylindrical portion m91 of the locking member, and the said locking member therefore is permitted to be moved for- Ward by the action of its spring githe said portion mm entering the said opening at the center of the safety-device or guard.k See Fig. 18, in which the fuse is shown in armed condition. The extent of the forward movement of the lockingmember m9 is limited by contact of the collar or flange m92 withv the ends of the sections .of the safety-device or guard. The locking member m corresponds in length with the distance between the rear ends of the sections f", fg, and the inner or rear end of the cavity or chamber la, Within the carrier h. It is, therefore, capable 'of serving in the contracted condition of the safety-device or guard to lock the carrier l1. in its rearward position in case the flanges fm, f, of the sections f, f, are not called upon to act for this purpose.

Figs. 20 to 23 show a carrier 11,5 having in connection therewith a transversely movable safety-device or guard f8 to which a. firingpin or point es is affixed. The safety-device or guard f8 tits againtlt the front end of the body of the carrier LB between the said body and partit-ion c, the said safety-device or' which by contact with thef'adjacent surface of the partition c in the contracted condition of the safety device that is shown in Fig. 21 acts to. hold the carrier 7L in its rearward position so as to prevent the end of the firingpin or point from engaging with said partition. From the body of the carrier hs projects forwardly a flange LS1I`A divided or split elastic ring as encircles the said flange, and also the safety-device or guard f8, and acts to hold the said safety-device or guard Figs. 20 and 21. In the position of the safety-device or guard which is shown in pin or point e8 is olf-center, and also out of line with the percussion-'cap or primer which it is intended to detonate. The mass of the iange f is sufliciently greatto produce a preponderance of weight at the side of the longitudinal axis of the carrier ha at ywhich such flange f is located, so that in the rotation of the projectile to which the fuse is applied the centrifugal action will cause the safety-device or guard to move transversely away from the flange hsl until the opposite side of the safety-device or guard makes conf tact with the inner surface of the casing of the fuse. When such Contact occurs, the iring-'pin or point e8 will be centered, as in Fig. 29., and in line with the percussion-cap or primer. A locking device for retaining thesafety-device or guard f8 in centered position is shown in Fig. 20, it comprisinga bolt m5 occupying a chamber la in theA body of -the carrier its, and backed up by an expanding spiral spring gs, the said bolt being projected by the action of the spring, as the latter eX- pands, into a hole or cavity f in the rear end of the safety-device or Huard, when such hole or cavity is presented fairly in position opposite the bolt by the outward or radial movement of the safety-device or guard. 'The side of the partition c Whichis turned toward -the carrier its is rabbeted, as at c?, Figs. 23 and 24, at the periphery of the partition. In the expanded condition of the safety device which isrepresented in Fig. 22, the flange fsl is presented in line with the annularirecess that is produced by the rabbeting, and consequently the carrier its is unlocked and rendered free to advance within the casing so as to carry the ring pin or point against the percussion cap or primer'.

I claim as my invention 1. In a safety percussion fuse, in combinavretion, a percussion-cap or primer, a firing-pin or point, and a centrifugally-operated support for the said firing-pin or point relative to which the lat-ter is independently movable 'longitudinally of the fuse, the said supportv adapted to hold the firing-pin or point noi'-,A mally out of operative alinement with the percussion-cap or primer, and moved under centrifugal act-ion to place the firing-pin or point in operative relations with the percussion-cap or primer.

2. In a safety percussion fuse, in combination, a percussion-cap or ,p rimer, a firing-pin or point, a centrifugally-operated support for the said tiring-pin or point relative to which the latter is independently movable longitudinally of the fuse, the said support adapted to hold the firing-pin or point normallyout of operative alinementf with the percussion-cap or primer, andmoved under l centrifugal action to place the firing-pin or point in operative relational-,With the -per cussion-cap or' primer, anda hammer inde-l pendent o1 the said tiring-piaci' .point .toy actuate the latter. f ,l 3. In asafet-y percussionfuse, incombina-V tion, a percussion-cap or primer, a firingpir or point, a relatively fixed support for one of 'Y the said elements, a momentum device, anda centrifugally-operated support and safety device or guard located between the said niomentum device and the said support and moved. transversely by centrifugal action in the flight of the projectile to place the fuse in armed condition, thejsaid firing-pin or point being independently movablerelative to the said safety device or guard, longitudinally of the fuse.

4. In "a percussion-fuse, in combination, 'a percussioncap or primer, a firing-pin or point, a centrifugally-operated support for .one of said element-s' relative to which the latter is longitudinally movable, said support being adapted to hold the said element normally out -of operative alinement vvith the other thereof and moving under centrifution, a support for a percussion-cap or primer, a firing-pin or oint and its actuating means, a centrifugal y-expansible safetydevice or guard normally supporting the said firing-pin or point and relative to Which the firing-pin or point is independently movable longitudinally of the fuse, and whereby the fuse is armed during the flight of the projectile, and yielding means to hold the safety device or guard normally in unal-ming condition.

6. In a safety percussion fuse, in combination, a support for a V percussion-cap or primer, a firing-pin or point and its actuating means, a centrifugally-expansible safetydevice or guard supporting the said firingpin or point and relative to Which the firingpin or point is independently movable longitudinally of the fuse, and yielding means to hold the safety device or guard normally in unarming condition, and means to lock the said safety-device or guard in its expanded condition.

7. A safety percussion fuse comprising, in combination, a percussion-cap or primer, a firing-pin or po1nt,'and a safety-device or guard whereby in the unarmed condition of the fuse one of the elements first mentioned is permitted to move transversely of the fuse but is locked against longitudinal movement, and in the armed condition is locked against transverse movement and left free to move longitudinally to detonate the percussioncap or primer.

8. In a safety percussion fuse, the combination With a casing, a percussion cap or primer, a support for said cap or primer, and airing-pin or point, of a safety-device supporting a longitudinally-movable firingpin, and which normally prevents the firingpin or point from exploding the cap or stituting a carrier for one of the said elements and relative to which the latter is movable-longitudinally of the fuse, and means to lock the said safety-device or guard in expanded condition.

10. In asafety percussion fuse, incombination, a support for a percussion-cap or primer, a firing-pin or point, one of the said elements being movable longitudinally of the fuse with relation to the other thereof, a safety device or guard operated by centrifugal force during the Hight of the projectile but normally operating to prevent the said longitudinal movement, a locking collar or ring fitting the said firing-pin or point, and a spring to actuate the said collar or ring to lock the safety device or guard in its arming condition.

11. In a safety percussion fuse, in combination, a support for a percussion-cap or primer, a firing-pin or point, one of the said elements being movable longitudinally of the fuse with relation to the other thereof, an expansible safety device or guard operating in its normal condition to prevent such movement, a locking collar or ring fitting the said firing-pin or point, and a spring to actuate the said collar or ring to lock the safety device or guard in its expanded condition.

. 1Q. In a safety percussion fuse, in combination, a longitudinally-movable firing-pin or point, an expansible safety-device or guard supporting the said firing-pin or point, a locking collar or ring fitting the said ring-pin or point, and a spring to actuate the said collar or ring to lock the safety-device or guard in its expanded condition.

13. In a safety percussion fuse, in combination, a support for a percussion-cap or primer, a firing-pin or point, actuating means for the said firing-pin or point, a safety-device or guard preventing in the unarmed condition of the fuse the firingpin or oint from being actuated to detonate t e percussion-cap or primer, While permitting in such condition transverse .movement of the firing-pin or point relative to its actuating means and to the percussion-cap or primer, and expanding under centrifugal action to hold the firing-pin or point from transverse movement While rendering it operative by its actuating means to effect the detonation.

14. In a safety percussion fuse, in combination, the firing-pin or point, means to actuate the said tiring-pin or point, and the centrifugally expansible safety device or guard supporting the ring-pin or point and having a relativelv-movable member provided With a detent.

l5. In a safety percussion fuse, in combination, the firing-pin or point, means tov lringin or point and having a relativelymovab e memberV provided with a detent, and the spring to hold the firing-pin or point in retracted position.

16. In a safety percussion fuse, in combination, the ringin or point, means to actuate the same, t e centrifugally-expansible safety-device or guard supporting the ringin or oint and having a relatively movab e mem er provided wlth aI detent, and the lock whereby the said safet -device or guard is retained in its expanded condition.

17. In a safety percussion fuse, in combination, the hammer,.the irin -pin or point, a centrifugally operated sa ety device` or guard havlng a relatively movable member provided with a detent, a locking-ring, and

a s rin interposed between the said ring an the cad of. the firing-pin or point.'l

18. In a safety percussion fuse, in combination, the casing, a hammer fitting the interior of said casing and movable longitudinally within thev latter, al lunger arranged between'the hammer and3 one end of the casing, movable transversely within the casing, 'and operating when thus moved to im el the hammer ongitudinally, a centri ugally-expansible safety-device or guard lsupporting the fringin or point and having a relatively-mova le member -provided with a datent.

19. In a safety percussion fusez in combination, the casing, 'a hammer fitting the interior of said casing and movable longitudinally within the latter, a plunger arranged between the hammer and one end of the casing, movable transversely within the casing and having the conical bearings at its opposite ends, the centrifugally-expansible safety-device or guard supporting the ring-pin or point and having a relativelymovable detent-member, and the spring to hold the said firing-pin or point pressed rearwardly.

20. In a safety percussion fuse, in combination, the casing, a hammer fitting the interior of said casing and movable longitudinally Within the latter, a plunger arranged between the hammer and one end of the casing,l movable transversely within the casing, and having the conical bearings at its opposite ends, the centrifugally-expansible safety-device or guard supporting the ring-pin or point and having a relativelymovable detent-member, the spring to hold the said firing-pin or point pressed rearwardly, and the lockv coacting with the firing-pin or point and detent-member.

21. In a safety percussion fuse, in combination, a support for a percussion-cap or primer, a firing-pin or point, a hammer movable longitudinally within. said casing, a plunger movable transversely and longitudinally to actuate the saidhammer, and a centrifugally-operated safety-device or Aguard having the said firing-pin or point movably supported thereby and by which the firing-pin or point is brought into operative relations to the percussion cap or primer during the ight of the projectile.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

DAVID J. CARTWRIGHT.

Witnesses:

CHAs. F. RANDALL, WILLIAM A. COPELAND. 

